WETA History

WETA’s public service began 50 years ago when a group of visionaries led by Washington publisher Willard Kiplinger and former college dean and Arlington School Board Chairman Elizabeth Campbell secured a license from the FCC and launched WETA Channel 26 on October 2, 1961. Since then, WETA has steadily expanded its public service — but its mission remains fundamentally the same. WETA is committed to presenting educational programming for children and to providing opportunities for lifelong learning for all who seek enrichment, inspiration and information.

Learn more about WETA's history with the retrospective features below.

Interactive Timeline

Enjoy this step through time charting WETA's history from its founding in the 1950s as an educational television station, the addition of a public radio station, and evolution into a major national producer for PBS.

WETA’S Founding & Elizabeth Campbell

After an eight-year effort by a committed group of public television pioneers, longtime Arlingtonian Elizabeth P. Campbell and Washington publisher Willard Kiplinger brought WETA on the air in 1961. Campbell would guide the institution for more than 40 years. Learn more about the history of WETA.

Ward Chamberlin

WETA 50th Anniversary Photo Montage

Take a look back at WETA's first 50 years with this musical photo montage highlighting some of the top moments and personalities in our history. Thanks to our viewers and listeners for making everything possible!

WETA Television and Classical WETA 90.9 FM are community-based public broadcasting stations serving the Washington area and supported by listeners and viewers. WETA is also a major producing station for PBS.

From Bolivia to Arlington

Luis Araya immigrated to Arlington, Virginia from Bolivia in 1966, when very few Latinos lived in the county. He reflects on the changes he has seen over the years and the influence of Latinos in Arlington today.